Observations of the legal scene from the Cornhusker State, home of Roscoe Pound and Justice Clarence Thomas' in-laws, and beyond.

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Order of the kneepads update: on the respondent's fourth trip to the Supremes on disciplinary charges, he escapes with suspension concurrent to the discipline the Nebraska Supreme court imposed last year, with conditions on reinstatement. State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Petersen, S-06-182, 272 Neb. 975 What is it with the Nebraska Supreme Court and its chronic sympathy for substance abusers and alcoholics? As long as the attorney gets into the assistance Program it seems he can have a chance to save his ticket. In the 3rd case, the referee thought the reform efforts were too little too late. Now after the counsel for discipline prosecutes more charges of neglecting client cases, the attorney is seeking adequate counseling and will have a chance at reinstatement.
The former reported cases were:State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Petersen, 264 Neb. 790, 652 N.W.2d 91 (2002){Supreme court dismisses case because Counsel for Discipline botched it}
State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Petersen, 267 Neb. 176, 672 N.W.2d 637 (2004){reciprocal suspension for 30 days after eighth circuit court of appeals suspends attorney for failing to file a brief}
State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Petersen, 271 Neb. 262, 710 N.W.2d 646 (2006) {serial neglect of client matters indefinite suspension until February 2008}